Job Description

Join UChicago Medicine, as a Surgical Technologist I in Perioperative Services at Hyde Park! 

As a Surgical Technologist I, you will be involved in process improvement or quality initiatives related to, but outside of, Perioperative Services. You will assist the nursing and medical staff in providing care to patients undergoing surgical intervention and performance of surgical scrub technologist duties; collaborates with nursing and other disciplines, when necessary, to revise the plan of care to meet the changing needs of the patient. Has constant contact with the Operating Room staff, physicians, clerical staff, anesthesia staff and materials management.

*$5,000 Sign-on Bonus Available*

Essential Job Functions

• Independently performs surgical scrub role on the operative field and is able to scrub in all services, adult and pediatric.
• Applies knowledge related to emergency and trauma situations and surgical procedures in the operating room.
• Demonstrates infection control practices by utilizing proper aseptic technique while dealing with blood/body fluid.
• Correctly uses all sterilizers and high level disinfectors related to surgical procedures; documents appropriately and maintains competencies, as required.
• In conjunction with Specialty Manager, Charge Nurse and Central Sterile Processing,demonstrates organizational skills in case preparation, case cart picking and accurate room set-up for instrument and tray contents in scheduled cases. Sets up instruments, supplies and equipment according to surgeon’s preference cards, policies and procedures and standards of care.
• Operates and troubleshoots video systems as needed. Works in collaboration with Administrative Coordinators, Specialty Managers, Clinical Engineering, and In-House Vendors to maintain video systems.
• Provides cost-effective care by proper use of equipment and instruments. Demonstrates appropriate utilization of supplies based on assessed needs, standard of care and surgeon’s preference cards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of immediate and long term outcomes of surgical activities including, but not limited to: sponge, needle and instrument count, aseptic technique, proper handling of specimens, proper labeling and handling of medications on sterile field and care of electrosurgical active electrodes and implants.
• In collaboration with Perioperative Educators and Managers, develops, organizes, and delivers continuing education topics and/or courses for operating room technologist colleagues and Central Sterile Processing staff.
• Assists in performing care of the surgical patient, including:
• Helps team to prepare room,helps open packs, supplies, and instrument sets,helps position patient, monitors sterile field, opens sterile supplies onto sterile field before procedure, performs counts, handles specimen(s), assists with emergency situations, and assures quality measures are met, such as Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) core measures.
• In collaboration with Circulating RN, Specialty Manager and Charge Nurse, determines individual patient/surgeon needs and adjusts instrumentation and supplies according to those needs.
• Inventories and restocks supplies in individual OR suites and Specialty Service carts.
• Responsible for reviewing and updating preference cards in collaboration with the specialty team.
• In collaboration with Specialty Manager and Central Sterile Processing management team, acts as a liaison to Central Sterile Processing (CSP) in the maintenance of specialty instrumentation necessary to enhance the delivery of quality patient care for assigned service.
• Communicates with oncoming shift any pertinent information regarding patients or unit activities.
• Acts as a resource person to patients, visitors, physicians and other staff.
• Communicates to Scheduling Board Manager, Anesthesia Coordinator, Charge Nurse, Perioperative management team accurate and timely information regarding patient status and OR schedule.
• Consistently demonstrates leadership abilities in support of UCMC’s goals, including excellence in safety, quality and the patient experience.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of an accredited Surgical Technologist program
• Minimum (1-3) years of Operating Room experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills necessary to facilitate communication
• Basic knowledge and ability to perform surgical technologist skills, analytical skills necessary to interpret and communicate data relevant to direct patient care to RN and MD
• Ability to function as a member of the surgical team, carrying out the instructions of surgeons and of the Circulating RN with speed, accuracy, and concentration
• Able to prioritize daily activities
• Able to recognize and intervene in life threatening situations
• Able to maintain composure under stressful circumstances
• Demonstrates higher level critical thinking and problem solving skills, thinks on an organizational level
• Demonstrates a competent, courteous and professional manner with coworkers, physicians, visitors, patients and others
• Maintaining confidentiality in execution of all duties, and superior knowledge and expert practice in the scrub role in advanced surgical procedures
• Exhibits a high level of collaboration with peers in making decisions related to surgical patient care. Demonstrates critical thinking skills in relation to anticipating the perioperative needs of the patient and surgeon
• Able to perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks
• Able to wear lead aprons (ranging in weight from 10-25 pounds) for prolonged periods of time for protection from exposure to radiation
• Able to fulfill on-call responsibilities, being alert and ready to work in emergency situations

Surgical Technologist I Licenses/Certifications

• CST certification required

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full Time (0.9 FTE)
• Shift: Days - 7:00a to 7:00p
• Unit/Department: Perioperative Services
• CBA Code: Non-Union 

In this role, we anticipate that you will generally work approximately 36 hours per week. We anticipate that you will generally be scheduled to work the Days shift, from approximately 7:00a to 7:00p and will be scheduled for on-call shifts. We anticipate you will be scheduled to work 100% at the Hyde Park campus. The days of the week that you are scheduled will vary depending on the week, but we anticipate that you will be scheduled to work on weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday) every other week.

Must comply with UCMC’s COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.

Why Join Us

We’ve been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment… with patients and with each other. We’re in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you’d like to add enriching human life to your profile, The University of Chicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

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Bring your career to the next level at a hospital that is thriving; from patient satisfaction to employee engagement, we are at the Forefront of Medicine. Take advantage of all we have to offer and #BringYourPassiontotheForefront.

University of Chicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: www.uchospitals.edu/jobs 

The University of Chicago Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.